I think most people think of tea, rain, and bright red double-decker buses when they think of England. But what they don’t know is that England is full of interesting pasts and beautiful places to visit. But some of the most beautiful sights on the island are a little out of the way. Don’t have a boring trip to the UK; instead, see some of the most interesting houses in the country.
1. Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is a castle from the 1600s that is in Bolsover, Derbyshire. This fairy-tale castle was built to please, and it does. It has amazing views of Derbyshire. You can look around the Little Castle’s fancy rooms, the beautiful ruined terrace range, and the wall walk, which has great views.
The maze of luxurious castle rooms has been carefully kept and restored to a high standard. The richly colored wall art, carved marble fireplaces, and stunning painted ceilings will amaze you. The castle’s outside has turrets and towers that look like they belong in the Middle Ages.
The Fountain Garden was built around the figure of Venus getting out of the bath. In the garden wall was a room that could be used for private parties. This room is now open to the public. The original windows have been reglazed, and new doors made by hand have been added.
Enjoy the 5,000 plants, flowers, and fruit trees that are in bloom as you walk through the grounds.
The newly fixed-up wall walk has circle walls that go all the way around the garden and give you a great view of Bolsover Castle grounds and the Vale of Scarsdale. The wall walk is a great spot to take pictures because it has beautiful views of the countryside and the water garden below.
Do not forget to check out the indoor riding school. Watch the Cavalier Horsemanship shows on the weekends from April to September. It’s clear that Bolsover Castle is one of the most beautiful buildings in England, and you should go see it.
2. Tower of London
The Tower of London is known as one of the most popular castles in England and one of the country’s most recognizable buildings. The Tower of London is a safe fortress, a royal palace, and a famous prison. It is made up of several towers, and the public can visit 12 of them.
The Tower of London is a huge fortress with a lot of history. There are many trips that cover this history, so there is something for everyone. If you like shiny things and are interested in the past of the monarch, you should not miss the famous Crown Jewels show. Take a look at the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross. The queen still wears the Imperial State Crown at every State Opening of Parliament. Visit the tower with the guards (Yeoman Warders) and listen to their stories about its bloody past. Or, if you want to go on a scary outdoor walk, the Tower Twilight walk gives you special access to the UK’s most popular historic site after hours and shows you scary sights and stories.
See well-known sights like the Traitors’ Gate, the Scaffold Site, and the Bloody Tower. Then, be horrified and amazed by stories of prisoners, former residents, royal talk, and the secrets that are kept inside these old walls.
Last but not least, don’t miss the chance to see the White Tower, an 11th-century fortress house that is a famous symbol of London’s history. It’s hard to find a better castle in England than the Tower of London.
3. Raby Castle
Raby Castle is made up of medieval towers, spires, and walls, some of which date back to the 11th century. It was built by the Nevills in the 14th century and has been home to the Barnard family since 1626.
As you get closer to the castle, its different towers and turrets show and disappear among the trees in the 200-acre parkland around it. The castle’s impressive outside is matched by lakes for decoration and groups of deer walking by. The Stone Figures on the Battlements of the Gatehouse, which look out over the now-dry castle moat, are also a stunning sight.
There are many medieval, regency, and Victorian features inside Raby Castle, which is a luxurious family home. The beautiful Gothic vaulted ceilings in the Entrance Hall have been called “one of the boldest ideas of its time and the first truly dramatic interior of the Gothic revival.” The Octagon Drawing Room is almost exactly the same as it was in the 1840s. It has beautiful fabrics made of gold and red silk and has kept most of the original paint, woodwork, and gilding in the room.
There is a beautiful plaster ceiling in the Small Drawing Room that holds a nice collection of sporting paintings. The Blue Bedroom is a normal bedroom from the 1800s, complete with a domed canopy bed and bell calls for servants.
The Servant’s Room, which was usually only used by the castle’s head maid, also had simple furniture. You can see the ancient kitchen, which still has its original old tools, and the dining room, which is also used as a gallery.
After the castle tour, go outside for a walk, look for animals in the deer park, or just relax in the walled grounds. Because it has so much to offer, Raby Castle has to be on any list of English castles.
4. Lindisfarne Castle
Lindisfarne Castle is a Tudor fort from the 1600s. It sits proudly on Holy Island on top of a high cliff of basalt rock.
Lindisfarne has changed a lot over the years, from a fort to the vacation home of a rich Edwardian bachelor who wanted to get away from London to a quiet place to relax.
It all started in 634 AD, when Oswald, King of Northumbria, gave the island to the church and set up a community of monks there. Viking raids forced people to leave it in the late 800s, but it was later rebuilt. The community did well until the Wars of Scottish Independence when their land was destroyed. However, the abbey was fortified so that it would not be seriously damaged in an attack.
The Elizabethan fort was turned into a fake castle between 1902 and 1903. The military quarters were turned into a house, and the Tudor cellars were turned into a cozy set of living rooms. The changes made to the old fort turned it into a beautiful country home and kept the area from falling apart.
There are still vaulted halls inside the castle that were built in the 1600s. Other parts of the building, like the wood-paneled rooms, latched doors, decorative brick flooring, and molded roof beams, were also made to look like they were from that time.
Holy Island can only be reached from the shore by a causeway when the tide is low. You should also see the Gertrude Jekyll garden. You should also check out the island’s priory, its old church, and the beautiful beaches and nature reserve along the coast.
5. Bodiam Castle
One of the most well-known houses in England is Bodiam Castle. Bodiam Castle is one of the best castles in the UK. It was built in the 1400s by a British soldier who got married and worked his way up to wealth.
Many people have taken pictures of the famous quadrangular castle for decades, with its many tall stone towers and battlements rising out of a misty lake. While the outside of the castle looks almost perfect and stately, some parts of the inside are sadly in bad shape. Instead of walking around the crumbling inside, people can enjoy visiting the castle’s battlements, grand courtyards, and towers. If you know Bodiam Castle, you’ll love it.
FAQ’s
Q1. What makes a historical site a "gem" in England?
In England, a "historical gem" is usually a place that is very important for its history, culture, or architecture. A lot of the time, these places have well-kept buildings, interesting stories, and a strong link to England's past.
Q2. Which are considered the top 5 historical gems in England?
The Tower of London, Stonehenge, Bath's Roman Baths, Warwick Castle, and Windsor Castle are the top 5 famous sites in England. Each site shows a different part of England's past and culture.
Q3. Why is the Tower of London considered a historical gem?
The Tower of London is an important piece of history because it was both a fortress and a royal home. It has been around for more than a thousand years and has seen important events in English history. It is home to the Crown Jewels and a sign of royal power.
